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SportsPulse: The Vegas Golden Knights were never supposed to be here in the first place, but now their shot at a title is becoming more realistic than ever. Our NHL insider Kevin Allen on how this team has done the unthinkable. USA TODAY Sports

The Winnipeg Jets have advanced to the Western Conference final for the first time in the franchise's 18-season history.

The Jets chased Pekka Rinne with two ugly goals in the first period and downed the Presidents' Trophy-winning Nashville Predators 5-1 in Game 7 of their second-round series.

The Jets, with a penchant for scoring goals in bunches, may be the scariest offensive team remaining in the playoffs.

Here is why the Jets are so dangerous:

Formidable top line: Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler are dominant most nights. Scheifele is a bullish scoring center, and the speedy Wheeler is a highly skilled play-making winger. Connor, a rookie, has magic in his hands.

Patrik Laine is another Ovechkin: Laine has one of the NHL’s quickest releases. Goalies watch the second-year player set up for the one-timer, but they can’t stop it. He has impressive accuracy for a player who shoots the puck as hard as he does.

Big Buff can bring it: Defenseman Dustin Byfuglien’s shot from the point has been clocked at 101 mph, helping him blast a puck through traffic.

Underrated defensive corps: Nobody talks much about the offensive skill on the Jets' defensive group, but their blue line has registered 10 goals in Winnipeg’s 12 games.

Plenty of offensive depth: Paul Stastny centers the second line and he has 14 points in 12 games — including a three-point night in Game 7. Brandon Tanev, a role player, has four goals. This Winnipeg group is so scary offensively that it is on an amazing pace even though Nikolaj Ehlers, who had 29 goals in the regular season, hasn’t found the net yet in the playoffs.

Explosive tendencies: As the Nashville Predators have learned, the Jets can turn a tight game into a one-sided game in minutes. In Game 3, the Jets were trailing 3-0 in the first period and won 7-4. Every time they score, they grow stronger.

Puck ownership: The Jets can retrieve the puck and hang onto it. They have ranked among the top possession teams in the regular season and playoffs. 

One great shot from every game in NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs

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Game 6: Washington's Alex Ovechkin, right, and Pittsburgh's
Game 6: Washington's Alex Ovechkin, right, and Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby meet in the handshake line after the Capitals knocked off the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions.  Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sports
Game 6: Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg
Game 6: Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg scores against Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, one of his two goals in the 4-0 Predators win.  Terrence Lee, USA TODAY Sports
Game 6: Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre
Game 6: Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury reaches for the puck before San Jose Sharks right wing Kevin Labanc can get to it. Fleury made 28 saves for his fourth shutout of the playoffs.  Stan Szeto, USA TODAY Sports
Game 5: Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov
Game 5: Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov upends Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand during the second period.  Kim Klement, USA TODAY Sports
Game 5: Winnipeg Jets forward Mathieu Perreault (85)
Game 5: Winnipeg Jets forward Mathieu Perreault (85) celebrates after scoring past Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35) during the third period of a 6-2 win.  Christopher Hanewinckel, USA TODAY Sports
Game 5: Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin
Game 5: Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin checks Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin in the first period.  Geoff Burke, USA TODAY Sports
Game 5: Vegas Golden Knights center William Karlsson
Game 5: Vegas Golden Knights center William Karlsson (71) takes a shot against the San Jose Sharks at T-Mobile Arena. The Golden Knights won the game, 5-3.  Stephen R. Sylvanie, USA TODAY Sports
Game 4: Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy
Game 4: Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) reacts after defeating the Boston Bruins 4-3 in overtime at TD Garden.  Bob DeChiara, USA TODAY Sports
Game 4: Ryan Shazier celebrates after the Pittsburgh
Game 4: Ryan Shazier celebrates after the Pittsburgh Penguins scored an empty-net goal in a 3-1 win against the Washington Capitals.  Don Wright, USA TODAY Sports
Game 4: Nashville Predators defenseman P.K. Subban
Game 4: Nashville Predators defenseman P.K. Subban (76) celebrates his second-period goal in a 2-1 win against the Winnipeg Jets.  James Carey Lauder, USA TODAY Sports
Game 4: San Jose Sharks forward Tomas Hertl (48) celebrates
Game 4: San Jose Sharks forward Tomas Hertl (48) celebrates a goal during a 4-0 win over the Vegas Golden Knights.  Stan Szeto, USA TODAY Sports
Game 3: Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy
Game 3: Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy and center Steven Stamkos lie on top of Boston Bruins center David Krejci while protecting the goal during the third period of Tampa's 4-1 win.  Winslow Townson, USA TODAY Sports
Game 3: Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin
Game 3: Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) knocks the puck in out of midair for the winning goal against the Penguins.  Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sports
Game 3: Winnipeg Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba, back,
Game 3: Winnipeg Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba, back, scores against the Nashville Predators during the second period.  Terrence Lee, USA TODAY Sports
Game 3: Vegas Golden Knights center William Karlsson
Game 3: Vegas Golden Knights center William Karlsson scores in overtime against San Jose Sharks goaltender Martin Jones.  John Hefti, USA TODAY Sports
Game 2: Tampa Bay Lightning center Tyler Johnson and
Game 2: Tampa Bay Lightning center Tyler Johnson and Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand exchange words during the first period.  Kim Klement, USA TODAY Sports
Game 2: Washington Capitals forward Brett Connolly's
Game 2: Washington Capitals forward Brett Connolly's shot squeezes past Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Matt Murray for a 3-0 lead. The Capitals won 4-1 to tie the series 1-1.  Geoff Burke, USA TODAY Sports
Game 2: James Shaw Jr., the hero in the recent Waffle
Game 2: James Shaw Jr., the hero in the recent Waffle House shooting in Tennessee, sits in the stands after being introduced during the first period in the Nashville Predators' game against the Winnipeg Jets.  Shelley Mays, The (Nashville) Tennessean
Game 2: San Jose Sharks center Logan Couture (39) celebrates
Game 2: San Jose Sharks center Logan Couture (39) celebrates with teammates after scoring in double overtime against the Vegas Golden Knights.  Stephen R. Sylvanie, USA TODAY Sports
Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask tries to show
Game 1: Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask tries to show the officials his broken skate blade after a goal by Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Mikhail Sergachev.  Chris O'Meara, AP
Game 1: Nashville Predators defenseman Mattias Ekholm
Game 1: Nashville Predators defenseman Mattias Ekholm (14) reacts after a goal by Winnipeg Jets center Paul Stastny (second from left) during the second period of a 4-1 loss.  Christopher Hanewinckel, USA TODAY Sports
Game 1: San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane (9) is
Game 1: San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane (9) is surrounded by Vegas Golden Knights players during the first period of the Golden Knights' 7-0 victory.  Stephen R. Sylvanie, USA TODAY Sports
Game 1: Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin (8)
Game 1: Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin (8) kneels on the ice after missing a shot on Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Matt Murray (30) in the first period of a 3-2 loss.  Geoff Burke, USA TODAY Sports
Game 7: Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak (88) celebrates
Game 7: Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak (88) celebrates with defenseman Charlie McAvoy (73) after scoring a goal during the third period of a 7-4 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.  Greg M. Cooper, USA TODAY Sports
Game 6: Boston Bruins right wing David Backes picks
Game 6: Boston Bruins right wing David Backes picks up a penalty after elbowing Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen in the head.  Frank Gunn, AP
Game 6: Washington's Alex Ovechkin (two goals) and
Game 6: Washington's Alex Ovechkin (two goals) and Braden Holtby (35 saves) greet Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky in he handshake line after the Capitals' clinching 6-3 win in Game 6.  Russell LaBounty, USA TODAY Sports
Game 6: Pittsburgh Penguins center Jake Guentzel puts
Game 6: Pittsburgh Penguins center Jake Guentzel puts the puck past Philadelphia Flyers goalie Michal Neuvirth for one of his four goals during the clinching game.  Eric Hartline, USA TODAY Sports
Game 6: Colorado Avalanche goaltender Andrew Hammond,
Game 6: Colorado Avalanche goaltender Andrew Hammond, who dominated the Nashville Predators in Game 5, looked human in a 5-0 loss that sent Nashville to the second round.  Isaiah J. Downing, USA TODAY Sports
April 21: Toronto Maple Leafs forward Tyler Bozak (42)
April 21: Toronto Maple Leafs forward Tyler Bozak (42) reacts after scoring a goal during a 4-3 win over the Boston Bruins.  Bob DeChiara, USA TODAY Sports
Game 5: Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom
Game 5: Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom celebrates his overtime goal vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets with teammates.  Geoff Burke, USA TODAY Sports
Game 5: Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Mikhail Sergachev,
Game 5: Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Mikhail Sergachev, 19, became the youngest player in franchise history to score a playoff goal.  Kim Klement, USA TODAY Sports
Game 5: Colorado Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog
Game 5: Colorado Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog (92) celebrates after scoring a goal to tie the game during the third period of a 2-1 win over the Nashville Predators.  Christopher Hanewinckel, USA TODAY Sports
Game 5: The Winnipeg Jets salute their fans after shutting
Game 5: The Winnipeg Jets salute their fans after shutting out the Minnesota Wild to win their first playoff series.  James Carey Lauder, USA TODAY Sports
Game 5: Philadelphia Flyers forward Sean Couturier
Game 5: Philadelphia Flyers forward Sean Couturier celebrates his goal with teammates late in the third period of a 4-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.  Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sports
Game 4: Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin (8)
Game 4: Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates teammate T.J. Oshie's goal in a 4-1 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets.  Aaron Doster, USA TODAY Sports
Game 4: Boston Bruins forward Jake DeBrusk (74) celebrates
Game 4: Boston Bruins forward Jake DeBrusk (74) celebrates his goal with center David Krejci (46) in the third period of a 3-1 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs.  Tom Szczerbowski, USA TODAY Sports
Game 4: The San Jose Sharks celebrate after completing
Game 4: The San Jose Sharks celebrate after completing their sweep of the Anaheim Ducks with a 2-1 win.  John Hefti, USA TODAY Sports
Game 4: Nashville Predators forward Filip Forsberg
Game 4: Nashville Predators forward Filip Forsberg (9) scores past Colorado Avalanche goaltender Jonathan Bernier (45) during the first period of a 3-2 win.  Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports
Game 4: Tampa Bay's Nikita Kucherov looks up after
Game 4: Tampa Bay's Nikita Kucherov looks up after he's knocked to the ice in the third period. Kucherov earlier had knocked Devils defenseman Sami Vatanen out of the game with a hard hit.  Bruce Bennett, Getty Images
Game 4: Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Brian Elliott
Game 4: Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Brian Elliott and defenseman Brandon Manning can't stop a Pittsburgh Penguins goal in the first period. Elliott was pulled after giving up three goals on 17 shots.  Eric Hartline, USA TODAY Sports
Game 4: Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar (11)
Game 4: Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar (11) skates to the bench as the Vegas Golden Knights celebrate after completing the sweep.  Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports
Game 3: Washington's Evgeny Kuznetsov puts up a big
Game 3: Washington's Evgeny Kuznetsov puts up a big spray of ice as Columbus Blue Jackets makes a save. The Capitals won 3-2 in double overtime.  Russell LaBounty, USA TODAY Sports
Game 4: Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who
Game 4: Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who named a Vezina Trophy finalist earlier in the day, makes one of his 30 saves in a 2-0 victory against the Minnesota Wild.  Brad Rempel, USA TODAY Sports
Game 3: Nashville Predators defenseman P.K. Subban,
Game 3: Nashville Predators defenseman P.K. Subban, right, takes down Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon after punching him from behind.  Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports
Game 3: The San Jose Sharks had appropriate towels
Game 3: The San Jose Sharks had appropriate towels waiting for fans on their seats before a game against the Anaheim Ducks.  John Hefti, USA TODAY Sports
Game 3: Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara, left,
Game 3: Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara, left, sends Zach Hyman's stick airborne as they battle in front of Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask.  John E. Sokolowski, USA TODAY Sports
Game 3: New Jersey Devils goaltender Cory Schneider,
Game 3: New Jersey Devils goaltender Cory Schneider, back, was named No. 2 star in a 5-2 victory against Tampa Bay Lightning. Getting his first start of the playoffs, he made 34 saves for his first win since Dec. 27.  Ed Mulholland, USA TODAY Sports
Game 3: Vegas Golden Knights left wing James Neal put
Game 3: Vegas Golden Knights left wing James Neal put his team ahead 2-1 in a 3-2 victory that pushed the Los Angeles Kings to the brink of elimination.  Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports
Game 2: Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby skates
Game 2: Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby skates away as Columbus Blue Jackets players congratulate overtime goal scorer Matt Calvert. The Blue Jackets lead the series 2-0.  Geoff Burke, USA TODAY Sports
Game 3: Minnesota Wild forward Jordan Greenway celebrates
Game 3: Minnesota Wild forward Jordan Greenway celebrates the first goal of his NHL career during a 6-2 rout of the Winnipeg Jets.  Marilyn Indahl, USA TODAY Sports
Game 3: Penguins goalie Matt Murray makes one of his
Game 3: Penguins goalie Matt Murray makes one of his 26 saves against the Flyers the hard way.  Bruce Bennett, Getty Images
Game 2: Anaheim Ducks defenseman Francois Beauchemin
Game 2: Anaheim Ducks defenseman Francois Beauchemin (23) shoves San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane (9) into the Ducks' bench in the first period of the Sharks' 3-2 win.  Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports
Game 2: Nashville Predators left wing Viktor Arvidsson
Game 2: Nashville Predators left wing Viktor Arvidsson leaps as he screens Colorado Avalanche goalie Jonathan Bernier during the third period. The Predators won 5-4.  Christopher Hanewinckel, USA TODAY Sports
Game 2: Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak celebrates
Game 2: Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak celebrates his second-period goal on his way to a hat trick against the Toronto Maple Leafs.  Greg M. Cooper, USA TODAY Sports
Game 2: New Jersey Devils goaltender Keith Kinkaid
Game 2: New Jersey Devils goaltender Keith Kinkaid makes a save but loses his stick. He ended up getting pulled in the loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.  Kim Klement, USA TODAY Sports
Game 2: Vegas Golden Knights forward Erik Haula (56)
Game 2: Vegas Golden Knights forward Erik Haula (56) scores the winner in double overtime against the Los Angeles Kings - the first overtime playoff win in Golden Knights history.  Stephen R. Sylvanie, USA TODAY Sports
Game 2: The Winnipeg Jets celebrate a goal by forward
Game 2: The Winnipeg Jets celebrate a goal by forward Paul Stastny during the third period of a 4-1 win over the Minnesota Wild.  Terrence Lee, USA TODAY Sports
Game 2: Philadelphia Flyers forward Travis Konecny
Game 2: Philadelphia Flyers forward Travis Konecny (11) scores a goal during the third period of a 5-1 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins.  Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sports
Game 1: San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane (9) celebrates
Game 1: San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane (9) celebrates a goal during the second period of a 3-0 win over the Anaheim Ducks.  Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports
Game 1: Nashville Predators forward Craig Smith (15)
Game 1: Nashville Predators forward Craig Smith (15) celebrates with Nashville Predators forward Filip Forsberg (9) after a goal during the second period of a 5-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche.  Christopher Hanewinckel, USA TODAY Sports
Game 1: Columbus Blue Jackets forward Artemi Panarin
Game 1: Columbus Blue Jackets forward Artemi Panarin (9) celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime against the Washington Capitals.  Geoff Burke, USA TODAY Sports
Game 1: Tampa Bay Lightning center Tyler Johnson (9)
Game 1: Tampa Bay Lightning center Tyler Johnson (9) celebrates a goal during a 5-2 win over the New Jersey Devils.  Kim Klement, USA TODAY Sports
Game 1: Toronto Maple Leafs center Nazem Kadri (43)
Game 1: Toronto Maple Leafs center Nazem Kadri (43) questions a penalty called against him during the third period of the Boston Bruins' 5-1 win.  Bob DeChiara, USA TODAY Sports
Game 1: The Vegas Golden Knights celebrate with goalie
Game 1: The Vegas Golden Knights celebrate with goalie Marc-Andre Fleury following their 1-0 victory over the Los Angeles Kings, their first playoff win in team history.  Stephen R. Sylvanie, USA TODAY Sports
Game 1: The Winnipeg Jets celebrate a goal against
Game 1: The Winnipeg Jets celebrate a goal against the Minnesota Wild in their 3-2 win, the first playoff victory in franchise history.  James Carey Lauder, USA TODAY Sports
Game 1: Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87)
Game 1: Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) celebrates with teammates after his hat trick goal in a 7-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.  Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sports

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